The Future of I-73 in Virginia

Photo byVirginia Highways Project

BLACKSBURG, VA - More than two decades after approving the corridor for Interstate 73, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has officially rescinded the location decision for the proposed highway in Virginia.

According to the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, the vote, which took place during a meeting in Roanoke, comes as a result of the ongoing lack of funding for the 140-mile section of I-73 that was intended to pass through western Virginia.

Despite early plans to have the highway run through six states, including Virginia, the necessary funding for the project never materialized.

As part of its policy, the CTB reviews location decisions three years after approval and assesses whether a project is still viable. Given the absence of a clear funding path, the board voted to remove the I-73 location from consideration, according to the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board.

However, the project would need to go through a new location approval process, according to the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board.